Folding tablet arm chair



Sept. 27, 1960 Filed June 18, 1959 B. B. JUNKUNC 2,954,073

FOLDING TABLET ARM CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I72] 22% J m jJZ/Lu/IW Sept. 27, 1960 B. B. JUNKUNC 2,954,073

7 FOLDING TABLET ARM CHAIR Filed June 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Se t. 27, 1960 s. B. JUNKUNC 7 2,954,073

FOLDING TABLET ARM CHAIR Filed June 18, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet s 17 zap/ iar muuflzo,

Sept. 27, 1960 B. B. JUNKUNC 2,954,073

FOLDING TABLET ARM CHAIR Filed June 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 P 1960 B. B. JUNKUNC 2,954,073

FOLDING TABLET ARM CHAIR Filed June 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f lvugawm." 5O fl WW Ola/710%,? fi adm? gmnd/b wwgg g U i StatesPatentO This invention relates to a folding tablet arm chair, and

is particularly concerned with means for mounting a tablet arm on a folding chair in such a manner that the tablet arm may be folded and unfolded automatically with the chair, as the chair is folded into closed position or unfolded into open position, and may be folded into an out-of-the-way or side position at the side of the chair when the chair is in either open or closed position.

A chair constructed in accordance with the invention has the appearance of a standard folding tablet arm chair when the chair is in open position with the tablet arm in open position for use. When the chair is in opened position the tablet arm may be moved readily between an open position and an out-of-the-way position. In the open position of the tablet arm it extends forwardly from one edge of the front frame of the chair in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the open seat. In the outof-the-way position it extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of one side of the chair. Thus, when the chair is open, the tablet arm may be disposed in a forwardly extending position for use, or it may be disposed in a downwardly hanging position or an outof-the-way position at the side of the chair.

The chair may be folded into closed position or unfolded into open position when the tablet arm is in either of the two positions described, and the tablet arm may be moved to either of its two positions when the chair is in either its closed position or its open position. The tablet arm may be pivotally moved from its out-of-theway position at a side of the chair to a position in a plane in front of the chair and substantially parallel to the plane of the seat when the chair is in its closed position, to facilitate stacking of a plurality of the chairs. This position of the tablet arm is herein referred to as its closed position. 7

When the chair is unfolded into open position with the tablet arm in its out-of-the-Way position, the tablet arm is moved forwardly in its own plane, but otherwise is not affected. When the chair is unfolded into open position with the tablet arm in its closed position, the tablet arm is raised into its open position for use. Thus, a chair embodying this invention may be moved to either of its positions regardless of the position of the tablet arm thereon and the arm may be moved either with the chair or independently of it as desired.

The tablet arm on a folding chair embodying the present invention is connected to the chair by means of a new and improved form of joint structure which permits the arm to be moved in the desired manner, and in preferred embodiments of the joint structure, restrains the arm from accidental displacement. The joint structure of this invention is adapted for universal movement in that parts thereof are disposed for movement about different axes at the same time or at different times.

In an illustrative embodiment of a joint structure made in accordance with this invention, the joint includes, a

plate fastened to the underside of the tablet'arm and 2,954,073 Patented Sept-27, 1960 pivotally connected to a bracket mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, with the arms of the bracket extending substantially parallel to each other and to the axis of movement thereof. A cylindrical member is pivotally received between the arms of the bracket for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis about which the bracket is rotatable.

The cylindrical member is slidably disposed on a rod connected to the chair seat and so arranged therewith that at the top or open position of the arm, a pin on the rod and a locking groove in the cylindrical member coordinate to retain the tablet arm against accidental displacement. The arm may be pivotally moved, however, from a substantially horizontal to a substantially vertical plane and the arm may be moved in a vertical plane pivotally about a pivot bracket secured to the'arm and to the frame of the chair at the rear end of the arm.

An illustrative'embodiment of the present invention by means of which the above-mentioned and other advantages are attained is described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of this specification, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a chair embodying the present invention, showing the chair and the tablet arm in open position; 7

Figure 2 is a front elevational view showing the chair and the arm in the same position as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the chair in open position with the tablet arm in its out-of-the-way position;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view'showing the chair and the arm in the same position as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view showing the chair and tablet arm in closed position; 7

Figure 6 is a front elevational view showing the chair and the arm in the same position as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the arm supporting joint structure in its position when the chair and the tablet arm are in open position;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 8--8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the joint when the tablet arm is partly moved from its open position toward its out-of-the-way position;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Figure 9; V 1

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the tablet arm moved to its side position before starting its movement downward toward its out-of-the-way position; v

Figure 12 is a fragmentary, broken, side elevational view showing, in solid lines, the tablet arm in the same position as shown in Figure 11 in solid lines and showing, in dashed lines, the tablet arm moved partly downwardly toward its out-of-the-way position;

' Figure 13 is a cross sectional view showing the tablet arm moved partly downwardly from the position of Figure 12 toward its out-of-the-way position;

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 13 but showing the tablet arm fully moved to its out ofthe-way position; V

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the chair in its closed position and the tablet arm in its out-of-the-way position;

K Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing bodiment of the invention, showing the chair and tablet arm in open position in solid lines, and showing the tablet arm partly moved toward its out-of-the-way position in dotted lines;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of the chair of Figure 17, showing the chair in its closed position and the tablet arm in its out-of-the-way position;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary front view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the arm supportlng joint of the modified embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary side view of the modified embodiment, showing the tablet arm moved to its side position before starting its movement toward its out-ofthe-way position; and

Figure 21 is a fragmentary sectional view of the modified embodiment, showing the arm supporting joint and the tablet arm in open position.

A folding chair provided with a tablet arm and embodying the present invention is shown in the drawings as including an inverted U-shaped front frame 2, the outer extremities of which form front tubular legs 3 and 4 connected at their upper ends by an integral transverse member or bight portion 5. A back rest 6 extending across the upper portion of the front frame is secured to the upper end of legs 3 and 4 and to the bight portion in any suitable manner. The front legs are reinforced by a transverse brace 7 which is rigidly secured, at its opposite ends as by welding, to the legs 3 and 4.

A pair of posts forming rear legs 8 and 9 are connected together and held in substantially parallel spaced relation by one or more transverse braces 10. The opposite ends of each brace 10 are rigidly secured to legs 8 and 9 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by welding.

The back legs are arranged to swing pivotally rearwardly relative to the front legs in order to provide positive support to the chair in its open position. L-shaped hinge links 11 pivotally connect the upper ends of rear legs 8 and 9 with front legs 3 and 4, respectively. A transverse strip 12 is pivotally secured to rear legs 8 and 9, and the ends of a U-shaped seat supporting member 13 are rigidly secured to strip 12 adjacent to the legs 8 and 9, respectively. The member 13 is pivotally secured to the legs 3 and 4 substantially at proper seat height along the length of the legs, as indicated at 14. A seat 15 is secured to brackets 16 (Figure 15) that are rigidly secured to member 13. In the drawings, seat 15 is shown as a separate padded member rigidly secured to seat supporting member 13. If desired, a metal plate rigidly secured to member 13 may comprise the seat.

The pivotal connections between link 11 and the chair legs, and between seat supporting member 13 and the chair legs, are arranged to permit the seat to move into substantially horizontal position whenever the lower ends of the front and rear chair legs are spread outwardly to the limit of the separation permitted by the pivotal connections. Conversely, the seat moves into closed posi tion substantially parallel to the plane of front frame 2 when the front and rear legs are moved into substantially parallel relation.

In addition to the pivotal mounting of the seat for movement of the seat between open and closed positions as the chair legs are opened and closed, a tablet arm is pivotally mounted, as hereinafter described, in such a manner that it may move into approximately parallel relation to the seat whenever the seat is moved into either of its limited positions. The pivotal mounting of the tablet arm facilitates stacking or storage of the chairs when they are to be put away, and provides for automatic positioning of the tablet arm in its position of use when the chairs are unfolded into open position.

The pivotal mounting of the tablet arm also permits separate movement of the tablet arm relative to the chair so that the tablet arm may be moved readily into an outof-the-way position if the chair is to be used without using the tablet arm, or moved into a position of use, as desired. If the tablet arm is in its out-of-the-way position at the side of the chair when the chair is folded from open to closed position, it may be moved easily into the closed position in which it is substantially parallel with the seat and legs of the chair.

The structure for supporting the tablet arm in the manner outlined above includes a stirrup 17 at each lateral edge of seat supporting member 13, the stirrups being apertured to receive one leg 18 of an L-shaped rod 19. The other leg 20 of the rod 19 is slidably mounted in a new and improved pivot joint assembly for supporting the tablet arm in accordance with this invention. The leg 20 acts as a link which is pivotally movable about the axis of leg 18 and forms the connection between the tablet arm 26 and the seat 15.

The joint assembly includes a tubular sleeve 21 that is pivotally mounted between the arms of a U-shaped bracket 22, as indicated at 23, for pivotal movement about on an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve. The night portion of the bracket 22 is pivotally secured, as indicated at 24, Figure 8, to a plate 25 for rotation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The plate 25 is rigidly secured to the underside of a tablet arm 26 near the front end of said tablet arm.

The front end portion of sleeve 21 is provided with a slot 27 having a wide mouth 28 extending rearwardly from the front end of the sleeve, a transverse slot portion 29 extending from the bottom of mouth 28 approximately parallel to the front end of the sleeve, and a forwardly extending locking recess 30 at the other end of transverse slot portion 29 and which terminates in a closed end spaced from the front end of sleeve 21.

The end of leg 20 of rod 19 extends into the sleeve 21 and has a laterally or radially extending pin 31 which is slidably movable into and out of the slot 27 for cooperative locking and unlocking connections between the arm 20 and the sleeve 21. These connections cooperate to support the front end of tablet arm 26, provide a universal joint between the tablet arm 26 and the rod 19 and permit the tablet arm and the rod to be unlocked for movement of the tablet arm to and from an out-of-theway position.

The rear end of the tablet arm 26 is supported by being pivotally connected to the front frame 2 of the chair, as shown in detail in Figure 12. In this embodiment of the invention, a tubular, cylindrical sleeve 32 is integral with or rigidly secured to a plate 33 that is fixed to the underside of tablet arm 26. Sleeve 32 is provided with a transverse slot 34 of limited length extending circumferentially of the sleeve. A cylindrical stud 35 is rigidly secured, as by welding, to a strap 36 which is pivotally connected to the front frame 2, as indicated at 37. The outer end 38 of strap 36 is fiat and is disposed angularly to the sides of the strap so that it engages the underside of arm 26 when the arm is in its open position and when the arm is in its closed position. In these positions shown in Figures 1 and 16, the fiat surface 38 tends to prevent pivotal rocking of the arm 26.

The outer end of the stud 35 is fitted into the tubular sleeve 32, and a pin 39 projecting radially from stud 35 extends through the slot 34 to limit the rotational movement of tablet arm 26 relative to the front frame of the chair, by abutting the ends of the slot. The opposite ends of slot 34 abut pin 39 as arm 26 is rotated to the limit of permitted movement.

The above described structure for an embodiment of this invention permits movement of the tablet arm together or independently as desired. The movement of the tablet arm to its out-of-the-way position at the side of the chair from its use or open position shown in Figures 1 and 2, is described below. Rotation of the tablet arm 26 toward the left, as viewed in Figure 2, is

normally prevented by the engagement of the pin 31 in locking recess 30, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Down-i ward pressure on the outer edge of the arm 26 presses the sleeve 21 downwardly tightly against pin 31.

- To rotate the arm 26 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the position shown in Figure 12 for movement of the arm to the positions shown in Figures 13 and 14, the inner edge of arm 26 is raised slightly to raise the sleeve 21 and its recess 30* upwardly, relative to pin 31, to align transverse portion 29 of slot 27 with pin 31 so that arm 26 may be rotated counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2. The manner in which this arm freeing movement takes place may be readily understood by comparing Figures 7 and 8 with Figures 9 and 10. In the former two figures, the joint structure and the arm are shown in locked position. In the latter two figures the arm has been lifted, freed and slightly rotated.

Rotation of the arm 26 toward an out-of-the-way position is limited by the abutment of the pin 3-1 with the edge of the mouth 28 of slot 27, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. When the pin 31 abuts the edge of the mouth 28, arm 26 is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the seat 15 and is substantially parallel to the plane of legs 3 and 8. The arm 26 then may be moved downwardly about pivot 37', thus moving pin 31 through mouth 28 of slot 27, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 12. During the downward pivotal movement of arm 26, sleeve 21 slides along leg 20 of rod 19 through the transient position shown in Figures 12 and 13, to the position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 14. Since sleeve 21 is secured to arm 26, the pivotal movement of the arm causes rod 19 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of leg 18 as a pivot until the lower end of leg 20 abuts front leg 3, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 14. I

The chair may be used with the arm in its out-of-theway position or it may be folded to a closed position as shown in Figure 15, with the arm remaining in its out-ofthe-way position, as desired. Folding of the chair to its closed position with the arm out-of-the-way, as shown in Figure 15 is accomplished by folding the chair in the ordinary way, i.e., by depressing the rear legs with respect to the front legs until they are juxtaposed. Such relative movement of the legs also folds up the seat pivotally about pivots 12 and 14.

When the seat is raised during folding of the chair, the rod 19 is raised with it until the pin 31 seats in the slot 27 at the intersection of the mouth 28 and the slot extension 29.

If the chairs are to be stored or stacked, tablet arm 26 may be disposed inwardly from its position shown in Figure 15 to the position shown in Figure 16 by merely rotating the arm about its pivot mountings.

The chairs may be set up again for use without positioning tablet arm 26 in its use position, by rotating the tablet arm from the position of Figure 16 to the position of Figure 15, and then unfolding the chair. During such unfolding movement leg 20 slides through sleeve 21 and raises arm 26 in its plane at the side of the chair. When the chair is opened for seating purposes, arm 26, having been disposed at the side of the chair, is in the out-'of-the-way position shown in Figure 3.

When the chair is in the position of Figure 15, pin 31 is in mouth 28 of slot 27. Rotation of tablet arm 26 from the position shown in Figure 15 to that shown in Figure 16 causes pin 31 to move into the transverse portion 29 of the slot 27. Subsequent unfolding of the chair to open position moves leg 18 of rod 19 downwardly and forwardly with the downward pivotal movement of seat 15. The forward and downward movement of leg 18 tends to move leg 20 of rod 19 forwardly and down-. wardly, but leg 20' cannot move downwardly because pin 31 at its outer end is in transverse portion 29 of slot 27. Due to the engagement of the pin 39 in the slot 34 of the sleeve 32, the leg 20 ofthe rod 19 is tied to strap 36. Thus when leg 18 moves downwardly and forwardly with the chair seat during unfolding of the chair, the leg 20 rotates about the axis of leg 18 and moves upwardly, causing tablet arm 26 to move forwardly and upwardly into the fully open position shown in Figure 1.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the tablet arm may be moved between its open position of use and its closed position automatically during folding and unfolding of the chair, or it may be moved between an outof-the-way position and a closed position independently of the chair when the chair is folded or closed, or it may be moved between an out-of-the-Way position and'an open position for use independently of the chair when the chair is open. It will also be observed that the chair may be moved between open and closed positions independently of whether the arm is in an out-of-the-way position or in a position to be moved between open and closed positions with the chair.

In the embodiment of Figures 17-21, the chair is the same as in the embodiment of Figures 1-16, except for the link connecting the tablet arm to the chair seat and to the front frame. Those parts of the structure which are the same as parts of the chair described above in connection with Figures 1-16, are indicated by the same reference numerals used in describing the structure of the embodiment of Figures 1-16 and are not redescribed here.

- The link and joint arrangement of this embodiment of the invention, at the rear end of the tablet arm, include a plate 40 secured to the underside of tablet arm 26 and asleeve 41 which is integral with or secured to the underside of the plate. A strap 42 is pivotally secured as at 43, to front frame 2, as indicated at 43. The front end of strap 42 is cut to provide two angular edges 44 and 45, respectively, and a cylindrical stud 46 which is welded to one surface of strap 42 adjacent to the angular edges thereof, is rotatably mounted in sleeve 41.

When tablet arm 26 is rotated from the position of Figure 18 to the storage or out-of-the-way position, angular edge 44 acts as a stop member to limit the rotational movement of the tablet arm in the direction toward the storage position. When the chair is in open position with the tablet arm in its use position, edge 44 abuts the underside of the tablet arm, as shown in Figure 17, to prevent rocking of the tablet arm.

Near the front end of the tablet arm 26, a plate 47 is rigidly secured to it. The plate has a tubular cylindrical sleeve 48 pivotally secured thereto, as indicated at 49 for rotation of the sleeve in a plane parallel to the plate and to the tablet arm. a

An arm 50, slidably mounted in sleeve 48, forms one leg of an L-shaped rod 51 having its other leg 52 rotatably mounted in stirrups 17 at each lateral edge of the seat supporting member 13. The outer end of arm 50 is bifurcated and receives a tongued extension or link 54, the tongue 53 of which fits between the bifurcations in the free end of arm 50 and is pivotally secured thereto by a pin 55.

The extension link 54 has the same outside diameter as the arm 50 to permit the same to be received in the sleeve 48. A washer or flange 56, adapted to engage an end of the sleeve 48 to prevent the arm link 50 from being disengaged from the sleeve 48, is secured to the end of-the extension by a screw 57.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 17-21 is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in Figures 1-16. That is, the

arm may be moved to an out-of-the-wayposition by liftingthe inner edge of the arm and tilting the armor rotating it until it reaches a substantially vertical position. During this movement the extension 53 will be pivoted about pivot point 55 and the sleeve 48 will pivot about its pivot 49. At the same time the sleeve 41 will pivot about the stud 46. The compound pivotal movement of the extension 53 and the sleeve 48 is permitted by the universal joint structure and arrangement.

When the arm is in the position shown in Figures 19 and 20, it may be lowered to an out-of-the-way position through the transient position shown therefor in dotted lines in Figures 17. When the arm is in the out-oftheway position, the chair may be open or closed as desired with the arm remaining in thet out-of-the-way position.

When the chair is in a closed position the arm may be movedindependently of the chair between an out-of-theway position and a closed position as desired merely by rotating the arm about its pivots.

When the chair and the arm are both in the open position, the chair may be moved to its closed position and it will carry the arm from its open position to its closed position at the same time in substantially the same manner as described above in conjunction with Figures 1-l6. The extension 53 and the sleeve 48 will operate as an interlock therebetween when the arm is in an open or closed position by virtue of the rotation of the extension 53 about its pivot 55.

Although two illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, and that many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim 1. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, a link pivotally connected to said seat, and means connecting said link to said tablet arm, said means and said pivotal connection being cooperatively arranged to permit pivotal movement of said tablet arm about a plurality of different axes for movement of said tablet arm and for movement of said chair to different positions simultaneously as a cooperative assembly, and to permit such movement of said arm and of said chair substantially independently of each other.

2. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, a link pivotally connected to said seat, and means connecting said link to said tablet arm, said means and said pivotal connection being cooperatively arranged to permit pivotal movement of said tablet arm about a plurality of substantially perpendicular axes for movement of said tablet arm and for movement of said chair to different positions simultaneously as a cooperative assembly, and to permit such movement of said arm and of said chair substantially independently of each other.

3. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about a plurality of different axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm and operative to permit movement of said arm with respect to said link in a plurality of directions and coordinated with said pivotal connection securing an end of said tablet arm to said frame for movement of said arm with said chair and for movement of said arm independently of said chair.

4. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of backlegs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for'piv'otal movement about two substantially perpendicular axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, ajoint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm, said joint structure being effective to permit substantially universal pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said link.

5. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about two substantially perpendicular axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm, said joint structure being effective to permit substantially universal pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said link, said joint structure also being effective to permit relative sliding movement between said arm and said link in selected positions of said arm with respect to said chair.

6. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about a plurality of different axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm and operative to permit movement of said arm with respect to said link in a plurality of directions and coordinated with said pivotal connection securing an end of said tablet arm to said frame for movement of said arm with said chair and for movement of said arm independently of said chair, said joint structure and said link being cooperatively arranged to support said tablet arm and maintain the same in position when said arm is disposed in a position of use and said chair is in an open position.

7. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 6 in which said joint structure is a universal joint which includes a tubular member slidably receiving said link.

8. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which said tubular member is provided with a locking recess and a radially disposed pin is secured to said link adjacent to an end thereof for cooperative interlocking of said link and said joint structure when said tablet arm is in an open position of use.

9. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which a pivotal mounted extension is secured to the end of said link for cooperative manipulation with the tubular member of said joint.

10. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which a bracket is pivotally secured to the underside of said tablet arm and is pivotally connected to said tubular member.

11. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 10 in which the pivotal connections of said bracket with said arm and with said tubular member are arranged with perpendicular axes.

12. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a link pivotally connected to said seat, a tablet arm, a universal joint connecting said tablet arm to said link, a pivotal connection between said tablet arm and said front frame, said universal joint and said pivotal connection cooperating to permit rotational movement of said tablet arm between a position forwardly of said front frame and a position at one side of said chair in either open or closed position of said chair, and to permit said chair to be opened or closed independently of the posinormally prevented by the engagement of the pin 31 in locking recess 30, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Downward pressure on the outer edge of the arm 26 presses the sleeve 21 downwardly tightly against pin 31.

To rotate the arm 26 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the position shown in Figure 12 formovement of the arm to the positions shown in Figures 13 and 14, the inner edge of arm 26 is raised slightly to raise the sleeve 21 and its recess 30 upwardly, relative to pin 31, to align transverse portion 29 of slot 27 with pin 31 so that arm 26 may be rotated counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2. The manner in which this arm freeing movement takes place maybe readily understood by comparing Figures 7 and 8 with Figures 9 and 10. In the former two figures, the joint structure and the arm are shown in locked position. In the latter two figures the arm has been lifted, freed and slightly rotated.

Rotation of the arm 26 toward an out-of-the-way position islimited by the abutment of the pin 3-1 with the edge of the mouth 28 of slot 27, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. When the pin 31 abuts the edge of the mouth 28, arm 26 is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the seat 15 and is substantially parallel to the plane of legs 3 and 8. The arm 26 then may be moved downwardly about pivot 37, thus moving pin 31 through mouth 28 of slot 27, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 12. During the downward pivotal movement of arm 26, sleeve 21 slides along leg of rod 19 through the transient position shown in Figures 12 and 13, to the position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 14. Since sleeve 21 is secured'to arm 26, the pivotal movement of the arm causes rod 19 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of leg 18 as a pivot until the lower end of leg 20 abuts front leg 3, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 14. I

The chair may be used with the arm in its out-of-theway position or it may be folded to a closed position as shown in'Figure 15, with the arm remaining in its out-ofthe-way position, as desired. Folding of the chair to its closed position with the arm out-of-the-way, as shown in Figure 15 is accomplished by folding the chair in the ordinary way, i.e., by depressing the rear legs with respect to the front legs until they are juxtaposed. Such relative movement of the legs also folds up the seat pivotally about pivots 12 and 14.

When the seat is raised during folding of the chair, the 'rod 19 is raised with it until the pin 31 seats in the slot 27 at the intersection of the mouth 28 and the slot extension 29. I

If the chairs are to be stored or stacked, tablet arm 26 may be disposed inwardly from its position shown in Figure 15 to the position shown in Figure 16 by merely rotating the arm about its pivot mountings.

The chairs may be set up again for use without positioning tablet arm 26 in its use position, by rotating the tablet arm from the position of Figure 16 to the position' of Figure '15, and then unfolding the chair. During such unfolding movement leg 20 slides through sleeve 21 and raises arm 26 in its plane at the side of the chair. When the chair is opened for seating purposes, arm 26, having been disposed at the side of the chair, is in the out-'of-the-way position shown in Figure 3.

When the'chair is in the position of Figure 15, pin 31 is in mouth 28 of slot 27. Rotation of tablet arm '26 from the' position shown in Figure 15 to that shown in Figure 16 causes pin 31 to move into the transverse portion 29 of the slot 27; Subsequent unfolding of the chair to open position moves leg 18 of rod 19 downwardly and forwardly with the downward pivotal movement of seat 15. The forward and downward movement of leg 18 tends to move leg 20 of rod 19 forwardly and downwardly, but leg 20 cannot move downwardly because pin 31 at its outer end is in transverse portion 29 of slot 27. Due to the engagement of the pin 39 in the slot 34 of the sleeve 32, the leg 20 of the rod 19 is tied to strap 36. Thus when leg 18 moves downwardly and forwardly 6 With the chair seat during unfolding of the chair, the leg 20 rotates about the axis of leg 18 and moves up wardly, causing tablet arm26 to move forwardly and upwardly into the fully open position shown in Figure 1.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the tablet arm may be moved between its open position of use and its closed position automatically during folding and unfolding of the chair, or it may be moved between an outof-the-way position and a closed position independently of the chair when the chair is folded or closed, or it may be moved between an out-of-the-way position and an open position for use independently of the chair when the chair is open. It will also be observed that the chair may be moved between open and closed positions independently of whether the arm is in an out-of-the-way position or in a position to be moved between open and closed positions with the chair.

In the embodiment of Figures 17-21, the chair is the same as in the embodiment of Figures 1-16, except for the link connecting the tablet arm to the chair seat and to the front frame. Those parts of the structure which are the same as parts of the chair described above in connection with Figures 1-16, are indicated by the same reference numerals used in describing the structure of the embodiment of Figures 1-16 and are not redescribed here. The link and joint arrangement of this embodimentof the invention, at the rear end of the tablet arm, include a plate 40 secured to the underside of tablet arm 26 and a sleeve 41 which is integral with or secured to the underside of the plate. A strap 42 is pivotally secured as at 43, to front frame 2, as indicated at 43. The front end of strap 42 is cut to provide two angular edges 44 and 45, respectively, and a cylindrical stud 46 which is welded to one surface of strap 42 adjacent to the angular edges thereof, is rotatably mounted in sleeve 41.

When tablet arm 26 is rotated from the position of Figure 18 to the storage or out-of-the-way position, angular edge 44 acts as a stop member to limit the rotational movement of the tablet arm in the direction toward the storage position. When the chair is in open position with the tablet arm in its use position, edge 44 abuts the underside of the tablet arm, as shown in Figure 17, to prevent rocking of the tablet arm. 7

Near the front end of the tablet arm 26, a plate 47 is rigidly secured to it. The plate has a tubular cylindrical sleeve 48 pivotally secured thereto, as indicated at 49 for rotation of the sleeve in a plane parallel to the plate and to .the tablet arm.

An arm 50, slidably mounted in sleeve 48, forms one leg of an L-shaped rod 51 having its other leg 52 rotatably mounted instirrups 17 at each lateral edge of'the seat supporting member 13-. The outer end of arm 50 is bifurcated and receives a tongued extension or link-54,

the tongue 53 of which fits between the bifurcations in the free end of arm 50 and is pivotally secured thereto by a pin 55. The extension link 54 has the same as the arm 50 to permit the same to be received in the sleeve 48. A washer or flange 56, adapted to engage an end of the sleeve 48 to prevent the arm link 50 from being disengaged from the sleeve 48, is secured to the end of the extension by a screw 57. The operation of the embodiment of the invention illus} trated in Figures l721 is substantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in Figures 116. That is, the tablet arm is movable between an out-of-the-way position and either an open or a closed position independently of the position of the chair. Also, the chair is movablebetween an open and a closed position independently of whether the arm is in an out-of-the-way position or in an open or closed position.

1 When the arm is in an open position and the chair in an open position as shown in Figures 17 and 21, the tablet arm may be moved'to an out-of-the-waypositionxby lifting the inner edge of the armand tilting the armor outside diameter rotating it until it reaches a substantially vertical position; During this movement the extension 53 will be pivoted about pivot point 55 and the sleeve 48 will pivot about its pivot 49. At the same time the sleeve 41'will pivot about the stud 46. The compound pivotal movement of the extension 53 and the sleeve 48 is permitted by the universal joint structure and arrangement.

When the arm is in the position shown in Figures 19 and 20, it may be lowered to an utof-the-way position through the transient position shown therefor in dotted lines in Figures 17. When the arm is in the out-of-the- Way position, the chair may be open or closed as desired with the arm remaining in thet out-of-the-Way position.

When the chair is in a closed position the arm may be moved independently of the chair between an out-of-theway position and a closed position as desired merely by rotating the arm about its pivots.

When the chair and the arm are both in the open position, the chair may be moved to its closed position and it will carry the arm from its open position to its closed position at the same time'in substantially the same mannor as described above in conjunction with Figures 1-16. The extension 53 and the sleeve 48 will operate as an interlock therebetween when the arm is in an open or closed position by virtue of the rotation of the extension 53 about its pivot 55.

Although two illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, and that many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, a link pivotally connected to said seat, and means connecting said link to said tablet arm, said means and said pivotal connection being cooperatively arranged to permit pivotal movement of said tablet arm about a plurality of different axes for movement of said tablet arm and for movement of said chair to different positions simultaneously as a cooperative assembly, and to permit such movement of said arm and of said chair substantially independently of each other.

2. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, a link pivotally connected to said seat, and means connecting said link to said tablet arm, said means and said pivotal connection being cooperatively arranged to permit pivotal movement of said tablet arm about a plurality of substantially perpendicular axes for movement of said tablet arm and for movement of said chair to different positions simultaneously as a cooperative assembly, and to permit such move ment of said arm and of said chair substantially independently of each other.

3. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about a plurality of different axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm and operative to permit movement of said arm with respect to said link in a plurality of directions and coordinated with said pivotal connection securing an end of said tablet arm to said frame for movement of said arm with said chair and for movement of said arm independently of said chair.

4. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about two substantially perpendicular axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm, said joint structure being effective to permit substantially universal pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said link.

5. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about two substantially perpendicular axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm, said joint structure being effective to permit substantially universal pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said link, said joint structure also being effective to permit relative sliding movement between said arm and said link in selected positions of said arm with respect to said chair.

6. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and to said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame and operative for pivotal movement about a plurality of different axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and to said tablet arm, a joint structure at the pivotal connection between said link and said tablet arm and operative to permit movement of said arm with respect to said link in a plurality of directions and coordinated with said pivotal connection securing an end of said tablet arm to said frame for movement of said arm with said chair and for movement of said arm independently of said chair, said joint structure and said link being cooperatively arranged to support said tablet arm and maintain the same in position when said arm is disposed in a position of use and said chair is in an open position.

7. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 6 in which said joint structure is a universal joint which includes a tubular member slidably receiving said link.

8. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which said tubular member is provided with a locking recess and a radially disposed pin is secured to said link adjacent to an end thereof for cooperative interlocking of said link and said joint structure when said tablet arm is in an open position of use.

9. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which a pivotal mounted extension is secured to the end of said link for cooperative manipulation with the tubular member of said joint.

10. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 7 in which a bracket is pivotally secured to the underside of said tablet arm and is pivotally connected to said tubular member.

11. A folding chair substantially as set forth in claim 10 in which the pivotal connections of said bracket with said arm and with said tubular member are arranged with perpendicular axes.

.12. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a link pivotally connected to said seat, a tablet arm, a universal joint connecting said tablet arm to said link, a pivotal connection between said tablet arm and said front frame, said universal joint and said pivotal connection cooperating to permit rotational movement of said tablet arm between a position forwardly of said front frame and a position at one side of said chair in either open or closed position of said chair, and to permit said chair to be opened or closed independently of the position of said tablet arm, and to permit said tablet arm to be moved between open and closed position with said chair when it is disposed forwardly of said front frame.

13. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, said pivotal connection permitting pivotal movement of said tablet arm about two perpendicular axes, a link pivotally connected to said seat and means connecting one end of said link to said tablet arm, said means permitting pivotal movement of said tablet arm about the longitudinal axis of said link and about an axis perpendicular thereto.

14. A folding chair comprising a front frame, a pair of back legs pivotally connected to said front frame, a seat pivotally connected to said front frame and said back legs, a tablet arm, a pivotal connection securing one end of said tablet arm to said front frame, a link pivotally connected to said seat, and means connecting said link to said tablet arm, said means and said pivotal connection permitting pivotal movement of said tablet arrn about two perpendicular axes and cooperating to support said arm and maintain the same in position when said arm is in a position of use and said chair is open and permitting sliding movement axially of said link.

15. In combination with a folding chair having a front frame and a seat movable pivotally relative to said front frame, a tablet arm, said tablet arm being pivotally connected at one end to said front frame, a universal joint mounted on said tablet arm, a link slidably mounted in said universal joint, said link being pivotally connected to said seat, and means for holding said link against sl-iding movement, whereby said tablet arm is moved automatically by the pivotal movement of said seat relative to said front frame.

16. In combination with a folding chair having a front frame and a seat movable pivotally relative to said front frame, a strap pivotally secured to said front frame, a tablet arm pivotally secured at one end to said strap, a plate mounted on said tablet arm, said plate being pivoted to move in a plane parallel to the plane of said tablet arm, a sleeve connected to said plate for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said tablet arm, said sleeve having a transverse slot open at one end, a link pivotally connected to said seat, one end of said link being slidable in said sleeve when said tablet arm is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said seat, whereby said tablet arm moves only in its own plane when said seat is moved pivotally relative to said 10 front frame with the tablet arm in said plane perpendicular to the plane of said seat, and means on said link engaging said slot when said tablet arm is positioned forwardly of said chair to prevent sliding movement of said link relative to said sleeve, whereby said tablet arm is movable pivotally between open and closed position by corresponding movement of said seat.

17. In combination with a folding chair having a front frame and a seat movable pivotally relative to said front frame, a tablet arm, said tablet am being pivotally connected at one end to said front frame, a bracket pivotally mounted on the underside of said tablet arm, a tubular sleeve pivotally mounted in said bracket, said sleeve having a slot adjacent one end, a link slidably mounted in said sleeve, one end of said link being pivotally connected to said seat, and a pin projecting laterally from said link adjacent the other end thereof, said pin being engageable with said slot for holding said link against sliding movement, whereby said tablet arm is moved automatically by the pivotal movement of said seat relative to said front frame when said pin is engaged with said slot.

18. In combination with a folding chair having a front frame and a seat movable pivotally relative to said front frame, a strap pivotally secured to said front frame, a tablet arm pivotally secured at one end to said strap, a plate mounted on said tablet arm, said plate being pivoted to move in a plane parallel to the plane of said tablet arm, a sleeve connected to said plate for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said tablet arm, said sleeve having a transverse slot open at one end, a link pivotally connected at one end to said seat, the other end of said link being slidably mounted in said sleeve, a pin projecting laterally from said link, said pin being engageable with said slot and being aligned with the open end of said slot when said tablet arm is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said seat to permit pivotal movement of said tablet arm in its own vertical plane when said chair is in either open or closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,196,050 Watkins Aug. 29, 1916 1,864,750 Moore June 28, 1932 2,664,943 Clarin Jan. 5, 1954 2,675,062 Clarin Apr. 13, 1954 2,676,645 Supita Apr. 27, 1954 2,811,197 Nimmo Oct. 29, 1957 2,825,390 Post Mar. 4, 1958 

